New Orleans: Ghosts & Spirits Interactive Walking Tour

If you’re planning a trip to New Orleans and craving a mix of history, mystery, and a little supernatural thrill, the Ghosts & Spirits Interactive Walking Tour from Gray Line New Orleans might just be your perfect evening activity. While I haven’t personally taken this tour, a detailed look at what it offers reveals a well-rounded experience that combines storytelling, history, and modern technology to bring the city’s ghostly legends to life.

What sets this experience apart? First, you’ll love the engaging stories about the city’s dark past and legendary characters like Marie Laveau. Second, the interactive augmented reality features created by local artist Marcus Brown add a novel twist that can make the stories feel even more vivid. Third, the professional guides, who are knowledgeable about paranormal tales and local lore, help create an immersive atmosphere. One possible consideration is the walking nature of the tour, which requires comfortable shoes and a willingness to explore uneven streets. This tour is ideal for history buffs, ghost story enthusiasts, or anyone curious about New Orleans’ haunted reputation.

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Key Points

Authentic storytelling about New Orleans’ haunted past, blending history and paranormal tales
Interactive augmented reality experiences, enhancing the storytelling with modern technology
Led by knowledgeable guides familiar with local legends, voodoo culture, and the city’s dark secrets
Flexible and affordable, with a 2-hour duration and a reasonable price point of $27
Ideal for those comfortable with walking on uneven streets and streetscapes
Suitable for children under 6 when accompanied by a paying adult, making it family-friendly

You can check availability for your dates here:

An Overview of the Tour Experience

The New Orleans: Ghosts & Spirits Interactive Walking Tour offers a compelling way to explore the city’s storied past after dark. It’s designed to give visitors a balanced mix of historical facts, local folklore, and supernatural stories, all while experiencing the atmospheric ambiance of the French Quarter. The tour is approximately two hours long, which makes it a manageable evening activity, especially after a day of sightseeing.

Starting at Toulouse Street Wharf, you’ll meet your guide at least 15 minutes before departure for check-in, exchange your voucher for a ticket, and prepare for an evening filled with spooky tales and visual enhancements. The tour ends back where it started, which is convenient for those planning other activities in the area.

Into exploring New Orleans on foot? Check out these other walking experiences we've looked at

Why the French Quarter?

The French Quarter itself, with its cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and historic buildings, acts as a perfect backdrop for ghost stories. This area has faced fires, epidemics, hurricanes, floods, wars, and periods of conflict—elements that add to its haunted reputation. As your guide narrates stories of the city’s colorful characters—like Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau—you’ll get a sense of how their spirits are believed to still linger.

The Stories that Capture Ghostly Souls

Your guide is a seasoned storyteller, sharing tales of eerie phenomena, disembodied voices, and mysterious shadows, giving a real sense of what makes New Orleans uniquely haunted. One reviewer described their guide as “knowledgeable and engaging,” noting how they shared colorful characters’ stories, making history feel alive—and ghostly.

Voodoo and Cultural Mysticism

A highlight of the tour is the explanation of Voodoo’s evolution, notably its arrival with West African slaves in 1719. The tour includes stories about Marie Laveau, a legendary figure revered as a Voodoo Queen. The guide explains how Voodoo dances and rituals have subtly integrated into New Orleans culture, often unnoticed by visitors until you recognize their signs during the tour.

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Augmented Reality – A Modern Twist

One feature that visitors seem to enjoy is the augmented reality (AR) experiences, created by Marcus Brown, a native artist. These AR elements serve to bring ghostly figures or scenes to life via your iPhone or iPad, making the stories more vivid and interactive. The fact that there are two AR experiences included in the tour—with more in development—means you’ll get a taste of how technology can elevate storytelling.

The reviews note that the AR is a fun addition, although some mention that Android users might not get the same experience unless the guide offers an alternative viewing method. Still, this fusion of old and new adds a memorable layer to the tour.

There's plenty more to explore in New Orleans

Practical Details and Value

At $27 per person, this tour offers a relatively affordable way to experience New Orleans’ ghostly legends without breaking the bank. The 2-hour duration makes it easy to fit into an evening schedule, especially after a day of sightseeing or dining.

The tour includes a professional guide well-versed in paranormal tales and local lore, which ensures the storytelling remains engaging and informative. The small group size (not specified but typical for guided walking tours) helps maintain an intimate atmosphere, making it easier to ask questions or share your own ghostly theories.

What’s Included and What’s Not?

Included:

A 2-hour walking tour
An expert guide
Two augmented reality experiences

Not included:

Transportation to the meeting point (Toulouse Street Wharf)
Food and drinks, which you might want to grab before or after the tour

Accessibility and Comfort

Since the tour involves walking on uneven sidewalks and streets, wearing comfortable shoes is essential. The guide will share stories about haunted locations that often involve narrow alleys, so be prepared to navigate some less-than-smooth pavement. Children under 6 are free with a paying adult, making this a family-friendly option.

Authentic Insights from Reviewers

From the overall 4.1/5 rating across 9 reviews, it’s clear that the experience is generally appreciated. Reviewers praised the knowledgeable guides and the interactive AR as fun additions. One reviewer said the tour was “a great way to learn about New Orleans’ spooky side,” while another appreciated the “fantastically creepy stories and lively narration.”

Some reviews mentioned that the tour’s storytelling was both engaging and humorous, which keeps the mood light even while exploring spooky tales. The inclusion of Voodoo and local characters adds cultural depth beyond just ghost stories, making it more meaningful.

Who Will Love This Tour?

This experience is ideal for history buffs, paranormal enthusiasts, or anyone curious about New Orleans’ haunted reputation. It’s also suitable for families, provided children are comfortable walking on uneven streets. If you enjoy stories that blend culture, history, and a touch of supernatural flair, this tour hits the right notes.

However, if you prefer guided tours with transportation or want more extensive exploration of cemeteries or other haunted sites, you might want to look at other options. Still, for a balanced introduction to the city’s spooky side, this tour offers good value and engaging storytelling.

FAQs

Is this tour suitable for children? Yes, children under 6 can join for free when accompanied by a paying adult. Keep in mind the walking involves uneven streets, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

How long is the tour? It lasts approximately 2 hours, giving enough time to enjoy the stories without feeling rushed.

What does the tour include? You’ll receive a professional guide and two augmented reality experiences to enhance the storytelling.

Do I need my own device for the AR? Yes, an iPhone or iPad is required to participate in the AR experiences, which use standard data and internet.

Can I cancel my booking? Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour, allowing flexibility if your plans change.

Where does the tour start? The meeting point is Toulouse Street Wharf, at least 15 minutes prior to departure.

Is transportation included? No, you’ll need to arrange your own transportation to the meeting point.

What should I wear? Comfortable shoes are essential, as the tour involves walking on uneven streets.

Are tips included? No, tips are not included and are at your discretion.

What if I prefer an alternative viewing option for AR? The guide may offer an alternative for Android users, but standard data and internet are required for AR experiences.

The New Orleans: Ghosts & Spirits Interactive Walking Tour provides a fun, culturally rich way to experience the city’s haunted side. With engaging storytelling, modern augmented reality, and an authentic local guide, it offers a balanced combination of history and supernatural intrigue. It’s best suited for those who enjoy walking tours, ghost stories, and exploring the mystique of New Orleans off the beaten tourist path.

Whether you’re a believer or just curious, this tour invites you to walk the shadowy streets and meet the spirits who are said to still linger in the French Quarter. Its affordability, interactive features, and local flavor make it a worthwhile addition to any evening itinerary in New Orleans. Prepare to be entertained, slightly spooked, and maybe even inspired to look at the city’s legends in a new light.